Wave-motor driving mechanism



Dec. 9, 1930. c. E. GARWOOD 1,734,424

WAVE MOTOR DRIVING MECHANISM I FiledAug. 8, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet, l

W: a: M

Dec. 9, 1930 c. E. GARWOOD WAVE MOTOR DRIVING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-sheaf. 2

Filed Aug. 8, 1928 Dec. 9, 1930. c. E. GARWOOD WAVE MOTOR DRIVING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 8, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet, 3

NW m 2 g w 3 Patented Eco. 9, 1930 PATENT QFFICE CHARLES GARVOOD, OF AVALON, CALIFORNIA WAVE-MOTOR DRIVING MECHANISM Application filed August 8, 1928. Serial No. 298,162.

My invention relates to mechanismsadapted to translate the energy derived from'wave and tide movements, into useful work.

An object of theinveution is the provision :1. ofan improved mechanism, by means of which rotary movement may be imparted to a shaft by one or more members associated with the shaftand capable of moving radially and pivot-ally in respect to the shaft. 2 .3 Hence, the invention finds a particular field of utility when applied as a wave motor, since the movable membersmav be associated with floats resting upon the surface of more or less turbulent water, because the movement imparted by the waves to the floats will be both radial and oscillating transversely of the shaft.

Another object is the provision of a mecha nism of the general class described, equipped with an energ -absorbing device by means of which a relatively steady flow of energy may be delivered, even though energy is absorbed by the device at irregular intervals as would necessarily be the case if reliance is placed upon wave action as a source of energy.

A further object is the provision of a device as described, in which the floats are capable of a relatively large range of movement so that the deviceis operable when installed at a point where a relatively large fluctuawaves. c

A still further object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of tide and wavemotors, whereby they will not only be cheapened in construction, but will also be rendered more etficient in use and of increased dependability of operation. I

f The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated. will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

The form of construction hereindisclosed, has in actual use, proven to be very BlllClQIll], capable of facile and rapid operation, and

generally desirable in other respects. For

these reasons, the details herein disclosed may be considerec. preferred. It should be mentioned however, that while these details will hereinafter be specifically described, variations may be effected within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of the wave motor of my invention, showing it operativelymounted in position to be activated by wave action.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through a portion of the framework, tobetter disclose the operative parts of the invention therebehind. The plane of section is indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 3, and the direction of view by the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view, the direction of view being'indicated by the arrow 8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan View of a' portion of the device showing the operative connection between one of the floatcarriages and the power shaft. 7 V

Fig. 5 is a front elevation, the direction of view being indicated by the arrow 5 of Fig. 4:.

Fig. 6 is aside elevation of the portion of the wave motor shown in Figs. 4 and 5, this figure being a sectional view taken transverse ly of the power shaft upon a plane indicated by the line 66 of Fig. 5, with the direction of view indicated by the arrows,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail view showing a slightly modified construction by means of which adjustment of the engagement be-' tween the float carriages and power shaft may be effected.

' Specifically describing the invention in the most practical form of which I am at present aware, it is intended that the device shall be positioned upon a framework 11 carried by stationary piers 12 or their equivalent, and disposed above a body of water 13 which is subject to a greater or less degree of turbulence such as that resulting from wave and/or tide action.

A plurality of aligned "ournals 1 are mounted upon the framework 11, cross members 16 being provided fo'rthis purpose; and a suitable power shaft 17 is journalled for rotation in the journals 14 Preferably a Hill V plurality offioats 21 are operatively connected t'o the shaft 17 by means adapted to impart rotary movement. to the shaft 17 by energy derived from the action of the waves and/or tide of the body of water 13, it being understood that the floats 21' are floating upon the surface thereof. This means includes a hanger 22 rigidly connected toeachfloat 21,

., each hanger comprising preferably four corarrangement by transverse rails'24' at their ner posts23 maintained in spaced parallel lower ends, and 26 at their upper. ends. The four posts 23 are arranged in pairs, tlieposts of each pair being dlSPQSGdllPOll opposite sides of the shaft 17.

"Each pair of. rails '24 is providediwit'h a rack 27 extending throughout the length thereof,

these racks being disposed at diametrically opopo'p site points, i. e., the racks are upon posite sides of the shaft 17.

A pair of pinions28are associated with 7 each hangar 22 and journalled upon the shaft 17 1 These pinions '28 are spaced 'upon the shaft 17 so thateach is enmeshedwith-one of the racks 27. Accordingly, when the float 2 1, and with it the hanger 22, moves upwards, one of the pinions28 is'rotated in one direction aboutthe axis ofthe shaft, and the other pin- 28-is rotated in the opposite direction;

and-when the float 21 islowered, therespective directions of: rotation of these pinions arereversed. Dlsengagcment of the P11119115" 28 fromtheir respective racks 27, is prevented by the opposite corner post 23, which is in sliding engagement with the tops of the teeth of the pinion 28 on the opposite side of the shaft 17 as clearly shown on Fig; 6. i

7 Means for preventing lateral displacement of the hangers22 in respect to the associated pinions 28, is'provided in the form of'flanges 29in engagement with thesides of the pinions'28f Additional means are provided inthe form of a cross member 31 rigid withthe frame 11 and between the pairs ofcorner posts 23 of-each hanger. 22'.

Thus it maybe seen that mult-i-directional movement of the ffloats 21 and hangers '22 is permitted, the movement of'eachfi'oat and hanger being restricted to a single plane to which the shaft 17 isperpendi'cular.

Clutch means are provided for l oc king the shaft 1'7 tothe pinions 28, to berotated thereby in one direction, and automatically freeing the pinions 28 fromtheshaft 17 when they are rotated in the opposite direction,

Two collars "32 and 33 re rigidly mounted" 'u'ponthe shaft 17 upon opposite sides ofeach ,thefshaft 17' bya pin or rivet 37'extending through a sleeve 38 rigid witheach of the i e6, collars 32lj The fixed collars 32 and 33 asso-' pinion 28. Thecollars'33 associatedwiththe two pinions'28 of each set, may conveniently "beformed integral and joined by a sleeve .34

rigidly connected to the shaft 17 'by' spin-or rivet 36,,whereasthe collars 32 are joined-to ciated witheach pinion 2 8, are spaced suf- V ficiently to accommodate the clutch member indicated in its entirety at 39. I in Between each pinion 28 and its associated outer fixed collar 32, a loose collar 41 'is journalled upon the shaft 17. Preferably the .loosecollar 41 and pinion 28are splined or otherwise coupled to permit relative'sliding motion thereof, but restricted againstrela tive rotation. This restriction however, is such that a limited amount of rotational play between the'two members is permitted. This may be effected by providing the'pinion 28 with. a sleeve42, and. the loose collar 41 with a sleeve 43, and forming shoulders 44 and 46 clearlyfshownupon Fig. 5. A plurality of pins47, say

ciatediloose collar41. Each of these pins is loosely seated at one endrin a. socket 48 inthe inner face of the loose collar 41,.andthe other end} of each: pin47 issimilarlyseated in a:-

socket 49inthe outerrface of the pinion 28.

about the up shaft 17.

tion-of-the shaft 17.; I

Annular friction linings 51 and 52 respec= tvely, maybe interposedbetweenthe pinion- 28 and its associated fixed collar-'33, and. be-

tween the loose collar 41- and its associated fixed collar 32; a a Y From the above recited structure of the clutch members39, it is readily apparent that whenany one of the pinions 2 8 is rotated in a for-ward direction, I the frictional resistance against similar" rotation of the associated loose collar 41, results in a slight lagin'rotation of the latter. Consequently, the pins 47 interposed betweenthe pinion I 28 and loose collar 41;. tend to swing to positions more nearly in parallelism with the axis of'the shaft 17,.resulting inincrea'sing their effec tive length and separating. the pinion 28 and loose collar 41. This-action 'results-inlpressei ing the pinion'28 towardthe associated'ri'gid collar 33, and the loose collar 41, toward the rigid. collar=32, whereupon the, rigid collars 32, and will be frictionally engagedto effect forward rotation of the shaft 17; to th yare-aflixed. Since one of the pinions'28:

associated with each hanger 22.-is rotated in a 'uponthesleeves 42 and 43 respectively, these I V shoulders'being in sliding engagement as three, are interposed between each pinion 28 and ass0-- s5 forward {direction when the hanger moves upwardsxahd the'otherpinion 28 isrotated in a;

forward direction when: thehanger moves downwards, it is readily; apparent that power will be applied to the shaft 17 throughout either vertical movement of the float 21. i

It may also be readily understood that rotation'of the shaft-17 will be effected when the float 21 swings in an arcuate path about the axis of the shaft 17 in one direction, and that when the float 21 swings in the reverse direction, the pins 1-7 of each associated clutch member 39, will be swung to positions more remote from parallelism with the axis of the shaft 17, permitting disengagement of the clutches and idling of the pinions 28 as the hanger 22 returns to vertical position. It is to be understood of course, that disengagement of the clutch member 39 opposite that by means of which power is being applied to the shaft 17 during either vertical movement of the float 21, is similarly released to permit idling; and also, that the downward vertical movement of'the float 21 results from the action of the force of gravity thereon after the wave or tide which has lifted it, has receded.

Since the spacing between the fixed collars 32 and 33 is a matter of considerable importance, I have found that it offers convenience to construct the device according to the modificaton disclosed upon Fig. 7. Here, instead of being rigidly ailixed to the shaft 17, the outer fixed collar 32' is slidably mounted upon the shaft 17 and locked against relative rotation thereupon by a feather 37. The shaft 17 is provided with threads 56 adjacent the outer end of each of the collars 32 upon which a nut 57 is engaged. Thus, by altering the position of the nut 57 upon the threads 56, the effective distance between the inner collar and outer collar 32' may be adjusted. A look nut 58 is also provided upon the threads 56 to retain the parts in adjusted position. 7

In order that the necessarily more or less irregular power applied to the shaft 17 may be taken from the mechanism in a more nearly constant form, a fly-wheel 61 is journalled upon the shaft 17. This fly-wheel is provided with relatively large hubs 62 to increase the bearing surface thereof with the shaft 17 and to provide a convenient pulley by means of which a belt 63 may take power from the flywheel and apply it to any convenient mechanism such as a generator 64;. The fly-wheel 61 is adapted to be driven in a forward direction by a plurality of dogs 66, each of which is pivoted upon a pin extending from an outer face of the hub 62 parallel to the axis of the shaft 17. Each dog 66 is pressed by a spring 67 against ratchet 68, one of these ratchets 68 being provided adjacent each face of the hub 62 rigid with the shaft 17, it being understood that the teeth of the ratchets 68 are so arranged that rotation of the fly-wheel 61in a forward direction in respect to the shaft 17, is permitted; but that rotation of the flywheel 1 reverse direction in respect to the shaft 17 is prevented by engagement of the dogs 66 with the ratchets 68.

Since the operation of the various portions of the device has been discussed in connection with the disclosure of their constituent parts, a description of the operation of the complete device is hardly deemed necessary. Sufiice it to say therefore, that when any of the floats 21, of which there may be any desired numher, is moved upwards by the force of a wave or otherwise, one of the pinions 28 will cause its associated clutch member 39 to expand and lock the pinion 28 to the shaft 17 to drive the shaft in a forward direction therewith. LAt the same time-the other clutch member 39 will be released, permitting its associated pinion 28 to idle. When the upward movement of-the float 21 has been completed, and the float starts to fall of its own weight, the first clutch member 39 will be released, and the other will now be engaged; so that power is similarly applied to the shaft 17 for both up and down strokes of the float 21.

' Furthermore, if the action of the waves tends to swing the front back and forward about the axis of the shaft 17, the clutch members 39 will tighten when the float 21' swings in the direction of forward rotation of the shaft 17 so as to apply power to the shaft 17 throughout such swinging; but when the float 21 swings in the reverse direction, the clutch members 39 will be contracted, permitting the pinions 28 to idle. In addition to this, these two actions may occur simultaneously,'there being no restriction to the. movement of the floats 21, except that of retaining each of them in a single plane to which the shaft 17 is perpendicular.

The engagement of the dogs'66 with the ratchets 68 will efi'ect'forward rotation of the fly-wheel 61 when the shaft 17 is rotated in a forwarddire'ction, but the mass of the fly-wheel 61-should be such that it will continue rotating in;a forward direction, even when the rotation of the shaft 17 becomes slower than that ofthe fly-Wheel 61, so that a more nearly even flow of power may be supplied by the belt 63 or its equivalent.

1- claim: I

.1. In a wave motor comprising, a revolubly mounted shaft, a member connected to the shaft for multi-directional movement in a plane to which said shaft is perpendicular, a pinion journalled upon the shaft, and a rack carried by said member in mesh with said pinion; a one-way engaging clutch actuated by said pinion and impartingsrotational movement to said shaft, and comprising spaced collars rigid with said shaft upon opposite sides of the pinion, a collar journalled and slidably mounted upon said shaft be tween the pinion and one of said rigid collars, and a plurality of pins,each having one end loosely seated in a socket in said pinion and the other end in a socket in the journalled collar, said pins ibeingi helically disposed and sloping from said pinion-in the'direction; of

V turningof said shaft, sai'drpins-being longer thanthe distances between the bottoms of their respective sockets when the associated collar and pinion are in engagement, with their respective rigid collars.

2. In a wave motor comprising, a revolubly mounted shaft, a member connected to the shaft for multi directional movementin a plane to which said shaft is perpendicular, a

pinion journalled upon the shaft, and arack carried by saidmember in mesh with said pinion ;& one-Way engaging clutch actuated byfsaid: pinion and imparting rotational 1 movement to said shaft, and comprising v spaced collars 'rigid withf said shaft upon opposite sides of'the'pinion, a colla'r journalled and slidably mounted upon said shaft between the pinion and one of said rigid collars,

V and a plurality of pins,'each having one'end their respective-rigid collars, said pinionand JOurnalled cOHar being 'slidably coupled for rotationtogether. I

'3'. A mechanical movement comprising a shaft,"a driving member j ournalled thereon, means holding said member against longitudinal movement on said shaft, "a driven 'member secured to said shaft and spaced from said-driving mem'ber, a collar jour nalled and slidableonsaid shaft between said members'andad'apted to engage one thereof, and a plurality of helically arranged pins interposed between said collar and the driving'member. w

4;A'mecli 'nical movement comprisinga shaft, a "driving member journalled thereon, means'holding saidmember against longitudinal' movement on said shaft, a driven member secured to said shaft and spaced from said driving member, a collar journalled and slidable'Jon-said shaft between said members and adapted toengagesaid driven member,

' 'ing member in and'a pliirality of helically arranged pins interposed'between said" collar and the drivingmember, saidpins sloping from'thedrivthe direction of rotation 1 5. mechanical V movement comprising "a shaft, a drivin'g 'member journalled thereon, means'holding said member against longitudinal movement on said" shaft, a driven member iseciir'ed v. to. said "shaft and spaced -from% said drivin member, a collar jourhaving one end seated; I'oosely'in; w 'soeket; in

saidd'ri'vmg member and the other. end-ina socketzin: slud lcollar, saidxpinsibeing' helically disposed and: slopingfromthe: driving meme ber in the-.directionof rotation thereof-,said

pins beinglongerthan the' maximum dis tancejvbetweenrthe bottoms of; their respective: sockets measured. parallel to said. shaft. testimonyv wheneof I have signed; my name-to thisspecificatiom;

' CHARLES; E. GARWOOD,

.' nailed? and slidab; e 'onsaid shaft between v I saidmembers and adapted to engage said driven member,- and a' plurality of pins, each 

